Those of you who have heard of the old radio programme "Desert Island Discs" will know what this topic is all about. If not, here's how it works:

Suppose you were stranded on a desert island (exactly how you would be and how you would know about it is irrelevant), with enough food and clothing to last a lifetime, etc. You only have a limited number of recordings of pieces of music you can take with you (I think it's eight), and the big question is: which ones would you take?

Your eight choices can be of ANY type of music - blues, classical, rock, pop, dance, chants, madrigals, jazz, etc. Your choices may or may not have a personal meaning to you - you may just feel you won't get tired of it, think it's a great piece, it remind you of a personal event in life, or it may have another meaning. (For this topic, an album by a modern artist would count as one choice, as would a suite, concerto, symphony, opera, etc.)

What also happens in the show is that, out of your eight choices, you're asked to choose ONE of them as the piece of music you would take "if you could take just one piece of music to your desert island". (Plus, there's the obligatory choice of book [the Bible and Shakespeare's complete works are already there on your Desert Island] and one item of luxury, but anyway...)

So... if you were to be left on a desert island, which eight pieces of music would you take with you? (You can give reasons for your choices if you wish.)

How long will I be left on the island? If longer than a coupla months, just give me a guitar, a piano, and a tuner for each. I will hopefully learn to play them, and then play whatever songs I want to hear. ;p

('Sides, what kind of desert island is it that has electricity that'll operate a CD player? What happens if the player breeaks. "And what about Naomi?" )

Details, details....

You'll be on the island for a VERY long time.

And don't worry - there's an unlimited power supply on the island that will only run compact disc players.

Your guitar can be your luxury, if you like.

Still thinking about my own choices, by the way. I may be some time.

Um, The Who Sell Out comes too mind, as does Electric Ladyland...

I have occasionally thought about the desert island scenario. In the final analysis, I don't think I'd ever be able to narrow it down to eight albums, books, etc. or any other finite number. I already know that the eight CDs I'd have would become boring to me very quickly and that there'd always be some song creeping into my head that I'd want to hear, but would no longer be available to me. I'd almost be inclined to ask for a loaded gun rather than face the situation. Tom Hanks I ain't. And if I can't have the gun, then I'll take the guitar and piano.

I haven't thought about the DID scenario in quite awhile, definitely going to have to give it some thought, but I'm game...

A few thoughts first. The way I see it these discs will have to compliment one another if you were to take the scenario seriously. I mean, I could list 8 awesome "post-bop" discs on the spot, but that would lead to some pretty repetitive listening, no matter how good. Same thing for every mood and style. In a sense you're not just listing your favorites, though everything chosen would have to be exceptional in some way or another.

I remember putting one of these lists together in the 80's. Of the few I remember that were on it one would undoubtedly be a repeat. I'll get the list started with this one and probably name it as my singular choice as well:
Out of the Woods- Oregon. I have owned it in all forms, even 8-track tape, and it still hasn't lost it's mojo on me.

I'll admit my answer is a major cop-out, but the problem is, I know that no matter what eight discs I choose, no matter how good and timeless I think they are, I'll still be giving the "wrong" answer.

Oh, totally agreed Benn. That's why I gave the example of my list's changing, and probably in a major way. Music is constantly evolving, as well as one's perception of all that came before. But I also think it can be worthwhile to try to capture where you are at a particular moment in time, so long as you're honest about it.

I'll go on and list another from my previous list (as I remember it), this time one that probably won't make the cut: Saint Dominic's Preview- Van Morrison. If Van is there it might be Hymns To the Silence a subsequent album, might not. Veedon Fleece continues to draw me in. I'll have to listen to them all again, part of the fun of doing this sort of thing.

This is just a fancy way of asking what one's favorite albums are, right?

Let's structure this more by redefining the ground rules. Start by making it ten pieces of music, composed of the following:

* Seven studio albums. These discs will have the content of the original released album. These discs will NOT be greatest hits packages or live albums. An original album which covers two discs or originally covered two record albums (such as Zep's Physical Graffitti, Springsteen's River, et. al.) will still count as one.

* One greatest hits package. Any compiled greatest hits package for any given artist, of 2 or less CDs. Must be a professionally released compilation and not a personally compiled "best of".

* One live album of any length, again so long as it is an official release.

* One officially released boxed set for a given artist of up to four CDs.

This gives the castaway a round ten items. What do you all think?

Fine by me. I'd prefer it that way, actually. I've been mulling over the "legality" of compilations anyway.

For me this isn't a matter of taking your favorite albums with you. It's more a matter of taking with albums that will best encompass your taste in music. For instance, I don't really have a favorite Blue Oyster Cult disc (Spectres comes close). Even if I did, I'm not sure it would best represent their catalog. Miles Davis, on the other hand would come down to a choice between Kind of Blue and The Columbia Years 1955-1985 box set. But that would mean not having Pangaea with me.

I would certainly want a goth/industrial disc. But should it be Marylin Manson or nine inch nails?

One clear cut winner I can see would be The Beatles' "White Album". It has enough variety on it to make it worth several runs through.

Again, for me, it becomes a choice of what will cover my tastes in music, and give me a little bit of everything.

>Again, for me, it becomes a choice of what will >cover my tastes in music, and give me a little >bit of everything.

Which comes down to, under the guidelines I posted above, what you think are the greatest, most consistent and solid albums. Here's my list under my own guidelines, and it wasn't easy for me to make. I had to leave out a lot of albums I wouldn't part with easily. But here it is:

The seven studio albums (in order of importance):

1. Uriah Heep, Demons and Wizards
2. Led Zeppelin IV
3. Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon
4. The Rolling Stones, Exile on Main Street
5. Iron Butterfly, Sun and Steel
6. Neil Young, After the Gold Rush
7. The Beatles Let It Be

The greatest hits collection:
Deep Purple Deepest Purple

The Live Album:
Yes Yessongs

Boxed set:
The Moody Blues, Time Traveller

Of course I had to make some concessions while compiling this list. I chose Yessongs because it had all the essential stuff plus more off The Yes Album and thus supplanted some other live discs I might have chosen instead of it. This also freed up a space on the studio albums.

Many of my most beloved bands of course failed to make the list: Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, Asia, Springsteen, and many many many more. But that's the way it came out, at least for today. Truth be told, I'd probably be bored to tears with this scant selection on a desert island after less than a month, despite its excellence . . .

And this is my list for today. It's subject to change tomorrow . . .

I take it none of you have heard of Sue Lawley? Or BBC Radio 4?

Sorry, haven't heard of her, Sven. I take it she does this sort of thing regularly. I first heard of the concept in Tower Records Pulse mag in 1983 or something...

OK, I have a list. These things will tend to take on a life of their own once started, so I tried not to rush things, but eventually you've got to committ.

1- Out Of the Woods- Oregon
Contemporary jazz, classical and world music. Truly magical and inspiring.
2- Workbook- Bob Mould
Stunning set of songs dealing with isolation and loneliness. Seems made for that island...
3- Skylarking- XTC
Perfect blend of buoyant pop and topical songs, with absolutely stunning production and execution.
4- Mirror Blue- Richard Thompson
The follow up to the surprise hit Rumor and Sigh and his underrated master stroke of the 90's.
5- Pink Moon- Nick Drake
Pure, distilled and raw yet elegant.
6- Slow Turning- John Hiatt
I play this one twice as much as Bring the Family. It's his best and most consistent set of songs, period.
7- Doolittle- Pixies
Idiosyncratic, abrasive, aggressive, slightly avant garde and goofily endearing. Post-punk at its best.

Box Set-
Who Knows here the Time Goes- Sandy Denny
Includes the best from Fairport, Fotheringay and the solo albums, quite a body of work. Plus I'd need to hear a female voice now and again.

Compilation-
Musical Varieties- Brave Combo
Serious fun for when Bob and Nick get too heavy.

Live-
Live Wizardry- Silly Wizard
Does exactly what a live disc should, it exceeds the quality of the studio recordings, capturing this Scottish new-traditionalist band at its best.

"I take it none of you have heard of Sue Lawley? Or BBC Radio 4?" - Sven of Nine

Uh, no. I'm a stoopid American living in Dallas, Texas. We don't get a whole lot of British cultural imports here, aside from Channel 13, our local Public Broadcasting affiliate running British comedies like Are You Being Served?, Keeping Up Appearances, Good Neighbours (The Good Life to you), etc. Could you enlighten us as to who she is?

"Truth be told, I'd probably be bored to tears with this scant selection
on a desert island after less than a month, despite its excellence . . . " - Todd Pence

Which is why I'm kinda shying away from favorites. What I'm trying to think of are what I think are the best albums, albums that I should continue to find something else in them. I'm also going to take into consideration my need for variety. If I go by my favorites, I'm afraid the variety won't be there.

Unfortunately, Miko, I'm not overly familiar with your choices. I used to have Sklylarking. It has one of the greatest songs of atheism on it. ("Dear God") The only thing I know off The Pixies' Doolittle is "Monkey's Gone To Heaven", which is also a great song.

Unfortunately, Miko, I'm not overly familiar with your choices.
Consider them a reccommendation, then.
Actually, if there's anything I'm not familiar with I usually take a spin on over to www.allmusic.com to investigate further.

Strange thing about "Dear God" and "Monkey Gone To Heaven"...I never put on those discs with the intention of hearing those tracks, not that I skip over them mind you. There's just much stronger stuff that never got any airplay (ain't that always the case?). If you ever get another chance to hear Skylarking again pay close attention to "Sacrificial Bonfire" or "Another Satellite".

It has one of the greatest songs of atheism on it. ("Dear God")Not entirely correct, Benn. It's more about the failure and hypocrisy of organized religion. To my ears, anyway.

As you can probaly see from my list, I totally agree with you about variety. Can't wait to see your list, and everybody else's.

I'll have to jot down the list, but sure, I'll look into them, Miko. Always looking for some new territory to explore.

I've got allmusic.com saved as a favorite for research, myself. Of course, I've also five of seven editions of The Harmony Encylopedia of Rock, two editions of The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and three editions of The Rolling Stone Record/Album Guide. Plus a dozen other reference books, and various rock biographies. Not to mention several back issues of Spin, Rolling Stone, Creem, Jazz Time and other such music related magazines.

I dunno, I always took "Dear God" as an atheistic song. In the song, Mould sings that he doesn't believe in God, the Father, The Holy Ghost and Heavenly Hosts, or something to that effect. The song, as I recall, ends with the words "One thing I can't believe in is you, Dear God." I may be misinterpreting it though. I do plan on getting Skylarking again, though.

As far as my list goes, I've settled on maybe four things:

1. "The White Album" - The Beatles (a well varied pop album)
2. Couldn't Stand the Weather - Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (My favorite Stevie Ray album. The first that I heard by him. Not the best blues album, but a good one. I may change my mind though and switch to In Step because of "Riveria Paradise". I love that track.)
4. Blind Lemon Jefferson (The Milestone label) (Jefferson [like SRV and myself, a Texan] never did put out albums. He recorded singles, so by default all his discs are compilations [This holds true for many old-time blues artists.]. This contains some great old style acoustic country blues.)
5. The Columbia Years 1955-1985 - Miles Davis (A little bit of Miles doing blues. Miles doing standards. Miles playing acoustically [with the late, great John Coltrane!] and Miles in his electric jazz/funk mode. Jazz doesn't get much better than The Prince of Darkness, Mr. Miles Dewey Davis III.)

That's the list so far. Pity I can't pick a single. That'd have to be "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by Verve. A great song, but I have no idea how good the disc is.

Great choices so far, Benn. I wouldn't mind visiting your desert island from time to time. I just couldn't find the room on mine for Miles or Coltrane or Monk or Evans or Mingus...how can one even choose between them. I guess I took the easy route and avoided the quandry alltogether.

I dunno, I always took "Dear God" as an atheistic song.
It's a matter of interpretation, I suppose, but why would somebody write a letter to God to tell Him that he doesn't believe in Him if he doesn't believe in the first place. (memo to myself- the course in "convoluted sentence writing" is having an effect). I see it as venting and making threats out of frustration (i.e. "I won't believe in Heaven and Hell..."). Even the last two words, Dear God, can be viewed as a term of affection.

Freudian slip, BTW: the guy from XTC is Moulding (Colin) not Mould (Bob) who was also on my list. In any event, Andy Partridge sings "Dear God".

Re Sue Lawley: a former news reader with the BBC, and continuing BBC personality. She hosts the show at the moment, inviting famous personalities onto her show to discuss their lives, past and present, as well as their choices of music. The show's very biographical in these respects, hence the personal choices, and have often been repeated in the event of someone's untimely death. Try looking out for the show on the Internet (www.bbc.co.uk and click on Radio 4 and Listen Now) - it's on on Sundays at 11.15am British Summer Time. (And I would recommend listening on afterwards - there's good comedy on after that!)

Yes, still working on my own choices, but of those pencilled in at the moment, they're very personal to me.

OK, here are two choices I would take with me, the rest will eventually follow:

1) Symphony no. 5 in C minor by Beethoven. Not only is it a fantastic and well-written masterpiece, it's also the very first symphony I have ever played in, and the memories of orchestral rehearsals and the winter camp will still stay with me.

2) "Vertigo" by Groove Armada. A chill-out album if ever someone needed one, it also reminded me a lot of the Summer of 1999, during which a lot of things happened - went to several orchestral courses, holiday to Italy, fell in love then lost her again... I've also not tired of it today, and I doubt anyone who has heard it will tire of it either. (Actually, the only reason I got this album was for track 9, "At The River" - you know how it goes - a track I once heard on the radio and thought, for the first time ever, "I must go and seek this track. Now", yet I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the album too.) Plus it would seem appropriate music to play on my desert island, with the sun, sand, waves, and b*gger-all to do.

Miko, you're right about XTC's line-up. Didn't Bob Mould also have a song called "Dear God"? That may be where I got confused.

Still thinking of other choices.

Okay, I’ll take a crack at it …

1. Beethoven’s 6th Symphony (i.e., the “Pastoral”)
This symphony was my first experience as a music student in the study of classical music structure and composition. It was chosen by our instructor for Beethoven’s ability to stick to the rules of classical composition, yet produce such a different sounding piece.
2. Guitarzan – Ray Stevens
This album is THE quintessential Ray Stevens album … all the songs, Guitarzan, Alley-Oop, Freddie Feel Good (And His Funky Little Five-Piece Band), Ahab the Arab, etc are gems. I wore out several vinyl albums before moving up to cassette and CD. Never get tired of hearing it.
3. Wonderfulness – Bill Cosby
This album contains all the essential characters that Bill ever imagined … Old Weird Harold, Crying Charlie, Fat Albert. It also contains his best work … Buck-Buck, Go-Carts, Tonsils, The Chicken Heart.
4. The Wall – Pink Floyd
This album holds as much fascination as Beethoven’s 6th does for me. It succeeds in telling a story, while at the same time provides the listener with great music.
5. Gonna Make You Sweat – C + C Music Factory
This album is just plain fun.
6. Greatest Marches – John Phillip Sousa
A collection of marches by “The March King” would be very pleasing to have around.
7. Chase – Pure Music – Bill Chase
For those not familiar with this trumpet player, he was a lead trumpeter for Woody Herman before starting his own jazz/stage band called “Chase”. His band had a top 10 hit in the early ‘70s called Get It On. The band was composed of nine performers, 4 of which were trumpeters! It made for very interesting sounds. The song I enjoy the best on this particular album is Run Back to Mama.
8. Whiskey in the Jar – The Four Leaf Clovers
I bought this CD recently (Saint Patrick’s Day) to help celebrate the holiday. I found the music compelling enough to listen to over and over. Irish drinking songs ain’t too shabby!

The book I would take along is Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein. Perhaps if I read it enough, I’ll finally figure out exactly what Grok means.

You don't grok "grok"?

The Rolling Stone Record Guide had an entry on Chase. It's review of it was one word: "Flee!" Keep in mind Derf, I've never heard Chase before. I have no idea whether they're any good or not. I just thought the review was funny. Equally hilarious was their review of Penny Marshall's and Cindy Williams' Laverne and Shirley Sing. "So do we, and just as badly. But do we put out an album?"

Sven, thanks for the info on Sue Lawley. I kinda suspected that's who she was, but didn't know for sure.

"I just couldn't find the room on mine for Miles or Coltrane or Monk or
Evans or Mingus...how can one even choose between them." - Miko Iko

It was easy for me. Miles is such a clear cut favorite of mine. The problem was choosing what to take? Bitches Brew? Kind of Blue? Pangaea? Aura? The Columbia Years box set covers all of Miles' styles, thus giving it the edge.

I'm not a hundred percent on this choice yet, but I'm debating whether I'd want Prince's Purple Rain or Sign O' the Times with me. I know I will want some R&B/Funk with me. I could go with The Black Album... (Make a nice companion piece to The Beatles' "White Album" wouldn't it?)

I'm also debating what Southern Rock album I'd want. Probably Skynyrd's Promounced album. On the other hand, I could choose Southern By the Grace of God... Several cuts were recorded here in Dallas. I'm in the audience... I'll have to keep thinking about this.

My dear Benn,
Chase is a phenomenon that I would help ANYONE get a taste of ... if you feel impelled to find out more ... just jingle dude ...

Uh, jingle what? Bells? Jangle?

Actually, I would be interested in hearing what they sound like.

I certainly wouldn't rely on the RSRG for any serious reccomendation. Although they cover a broad range of artists, they provide only the most superficial commentary on them, and (as Ben's quote evidences) seem more interested in providing a witty zinger than in any serious analysis of the work of any given artist. The editors of the volume lack any real passion for or interest in rock music and are more concerned with appearing "hip" to their readers (read my review of the book on amazon.com for more details).

I don't rely on anyone's rating for recommendations. I use it as a reference to help determine how many albums an act has released, what are some of their essential songs, the occasional background info, etc. I do find it interesting to compare my thoughts on a record to theirs, though. And, hey! some of those "witty zingers" really are funny!

Benn, the link great-music.com has sample tracks of Chase and other "hard-to-find" bands.

Re: Reference material, AMG (allmusic.com), as mentioned before, is quite excellent. They provide all the pertinent material on a particular artist as well as a further encapsulation of all of the albums, even out of print ones. And they seem to have everybody- for the heck of it I looked up somebody really obscure like The Laughing Dogs and they were there. The star ratings you can take with a grain of salt, as usual, partly because they're more of a consensus average (you can vote), but they usually will steer you in the right direction. Occasionally there is a real disconnect between the review and the star rating, but that's rare.

Benn, regarding Bill Chase once more (sorry to wear out the subject, folks) I know that on the Pure Music album, the first track is performed with Bill playing an electric trumpet, a first I believe for 1974. Actually, Benn ... if you e-mail me at Fred W. Kidd@nitcentral.com, I've got a few secrets to share with you regarding the group Chase. In this way, I won't waste anymore "thread space", so-to-speak.

Derf, is the address supposed to be fredwkidd@nitcentral.com, or is Fred W. Kidd@nitcentral.com accurate? I just want to be sure before I do any emailing. Of course, you could just click on my name on just about any post to get a hold of me.

Do mixed tapes and pirated CDs count? hmph, i guess not, if we're going to be sticking up for intellectual property rights.

anyway, here's my eclectic mix:

1. revolver - the beatles
2. soul love - workshy
3. best of everything but the girl
4. a toss up between any george gershwin or frederic chopin CD
5. fear - toad the wet sprocket
6. pinkerton - weezer
7. free - rivermaya
8. build - true faith

in case nobody's heard of the last two CDs, they're by Filipino artists; I believe my race is showing. heheheh.

in hindsight, I realize i didn't put in any r.e.m, U2, sting, etc., etc. which is nothing short of tragic. why o why only 8 CDs?

1) Kinda Blue by Miles Davis no explanation necessary. (Yes, I'd be missing a lot, but sometimes you just hafta bite the bullet.)

2) {Desmond and Mulligan: Together Again for the First Time by Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan} why? I don't know. I like Out of Nowhere enough.

3) Any album that puts together those Bird and Dizzy (and a young Miles Davis) songs that were originally released as singles. I know this is cheating, but those songs are about 3 minutes each.

4) Greatest Marches – John Phillip Sousa
A collection of marches by “The March King” would be very pleasing to have around. (I gotta agree with Derf.)

5) Settin' the Pace - John Coltrane and the Red Garland Trio It's here for personal reasons. It is music to woo your future ex-wife by and get married to, and get divorced to. (Don't ask.)

6) . The Wall – Pink Floyd I gotta agree with Derf again. It succeeds in telling a story, while at the same time provides the listener with great music.

7) Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables by The Dead Kennedys To remind me why I don't have more DK albums on the island.

8 and live album) Hey I got room! how about something by The Who or another Miles Davis album (or CD). I know I'll do a Who live album and take a random Miles.

Boxed set: The Symphonies of Beethoven

Sorry this list is so light on Rock, but rock can get boring quickly.

I never can keep any list to 10, especially when it comes to music. But being a relative newcomer to this site, I'll play by the rules. Then again, the last post was Oct. 27, so maybe everyone headed for the proverbial island.
DUKE ELLINGTON: THE WEBSTER-BLANTON YEARS
LEONARD BERNSTEIN/NY PHILHARMONIC: SYMPHONY NO. 9 (Beethoven)
WOODY HERMAN: BLOWIN' UP A STORM, 1945-47
STEVIE WONDER: INNERVISONS
CURTIS MAYFIELD: SUPERFLY
CAROUSEL (original cast album)
MAN OF LA MANCHA (original cast album)
DEREK AND THE DOMINOES: LAYLA
THE BEATLES: A HARD DAY'S NIGHT
WEST SIDE STORY (soundtrack)

What? No Phantom of the Opera soundtrack?
Actually, I have one better- "Ultimate Broadway"! It's got the best songs of nearly every musical to hit Broadway, including "Music of the Night," one of the best songs ever written.
Oh, and "The Best of Elton John."
N'Sync's "No Strings Attatched"
Elvis' "Live at Madison Square Gardens"
My Don Mcclean CD, I forget the name. Did I spell Mcclean right?
Rascal Flatt's "Feels like Today"
The soundtracks for "Beyond the Sea," "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," and "The Lion King."
Oh, and numero uno- "Michael Andrew and SWINGERHEAD!!!"

Did I spell Mcclean right? - mertz

I believe it's "McLean".

np - "Opportunity (Let's Make Lots of Money)" - the Pet Shop Boys

"Music is forever."

When Terry Pratchett was on Desert Island Discs, for his luxury item he chose the Chrysler Building.